Man who recorded in the books of history passes away

Wednesday, 19 November 2014 - 11:16

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The iconic doorman at the Galle Face hotel, Kottarappu Chathu Kuttan, who kept his name in the books of history for being one of the oldest hotel employees in the world, passed away peacefully yesterday (18th November 2014).

The hotel observed a minute’s silence in his honour for a personality that many people from around the world will not forget.

His career as a restaurant waiter and then as the hotel’s prestigious usher, Kuttan became an integral part of the hotel. He recognized almost all faces of frequent visitors and was a hit amongst the many Guests of the Hotel.

His welcoming broad smile and hands raised to say “Ayubowan” was always a symbolic sight at Galle Face Hotel that everyone will miss now.

Kottarappu Chathu Kuttan ran away from his home in Kerala, India when his parents died, and has been domiciled in Sri Lanka ever since. He hadn’t gone back to India for a while until the Chairman of the Galle Face Hotel Group offered him a trip to Kerala.

“I was helped to get this job by a Police Constable and started on the 13th May 1942” And since then stands undoubtedly as the oldest serving team member in the hospitality world.

Kuttan, when recalling his memories as a waiter, said he had served dignitaries such as Lord Mountbatten, Princess Elizabeth, Pandit Jawarharlal Nehru, Gandhi and Arthur C. Clarke.